Tossing Salt Presents:
12 (Dougie) Days of Christmas – Day 9
John Travolta, Vietnam & Roman Candles
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

It’s Day 9 of the series, 12 (Dougie) Days of Christmas, and I have had an epiphany. Yesterday, one of the topics of discussion was “Sing a Song”. And so I did with a video of me, covering a great song, This River, by JJ Grey & Mofro. I love that song and even though I’m not a singer by any means, I think I did okay. And it seems, based on the numbers, that you, my loyal readers, agree. As of five minutes ago, at 8:35 pm on Thursday, my site has had 1,179 views for the day. So my delightful crooning is a hit! So expect more sooner rather than later. And next time, I might chug down a Bud Light Platinum and smoke a cigarette to get my throat right first. So you’ve been warned. I had fun doing it and since the numbers are there, I’ll do it again. La la la la la! Watch for it.

And now that I’ve rambled for a bit, let’s just jump right to the meat of the matter. It’s Day 9 and I need some Topics of Discussion. Where is the infamous Magic Bag? We have John Travolta, Vietnam, and Roman Candles. Okay, they can’t all be winners, but I’ll do my best. I forgot to draw a topic from the Christmas Magic Bag, so I’ll throw a video of Steve Grand at the end of the column to add some Christmas spirit. Yeah, I don’t feel like going back into the depths of the bag for a new topic. I’m being lazy. So we’ll do these three topics already selected, add a video for good measure, and call it a day. Does that sound like a plan or what? Let’s do this.

John Travolta

The famous actor, dancer, and singer. I remember this guy when he first appeared as The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, an ABC After School Special, and as the pretty-boy asshole in the movie, Carrie. And then, here comes success. Welcome Back Kotter, Saturday Night Fever, and Grease all followed and Travolta was a star. He’s always been a kind of weird dude, but I like him.

And my favorite role? Edna Turnblad in the movie version of the musical, Hairspray. Travolta went full drag for this movie, but even in high heels and a fat suit, that dude can dance. He’s not the most macho guy in the world, but Travolta is a fantastic entertainer. I will always be a fan.

Vietnam

The war that we never won, divided our nation like no others before it, and killed so many of our youth. I was born at the tail end of the Vietnam War so I mainly know of it through TV, history books, and people only a few years older than me talking. It was bad news and why was America involved? I don’t know. I can only read and research and use my modern way of looking at things and hindsight to second-guess and judge.

Did participating in that war protect American interests and keep our nation safe and strong? I can’t see how. It’s a black spot in American history in my jaded 2024-based opinion. Hopefully, we learned and American lives will never be so carelessly thrown away again. But then again, Afghanistan? Iraq? I’m not slamming the soldiers who sacrificed so much to do what they were told and had to do. We have the greatest military in the world and anyone who would willingly serve and sacrifice to keep us safe and free is a hero.

But our leaders and Government? Sometimes, they make some bad decisions. And based on my admittingly limited knowledge, Vietnam was one of those.

Roman Candles

I remember the wars and fights we used to have around the neighborhood with these things. There is nothing like chasing your friends around and shooting them with small balls of fire.

Yeah, it was dangerous, but it was a different world and a different time back then and we didn’t care. We were playing with fireworks and having fun. Can you imagine anyone today doing even half the shit we did back then? We only cared about having fun and guess what? We were okay. We survived. And we are better off today for the experiences.

Kids today are missing out on so much. It’s sad. It really is. And I don’t know what all of this has to do with Roman Candles, but I guess it does, kind of. Anyhow, there you go.

Steve Grand – I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Video)

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and questions are welcome and appreciated. Any suggestions or ideas for topics to add to the Magic Bag or just write about separately, let me know. I’m always looking for content. And I guess that’s all for now. I’ll see you tomorrow for Day Ten. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season and he loves us. And I love you too. Be good, my friends, and Merry Christmas. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Ubuntu!